Christopher Columbus Logsdon

COCHRAN, CROSS, DAWSON, GRANDFIELD, LOGSDON

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 6/29/2006 at 13:40:06

Christopher Columbus Logsdon, who is operating a fine farm in Grand River township, was born in Jasper county, Iowa, on the 27th of May, 1853. His parents, Thomas and Martha (Dawson) Logsdon, were both born in the vicinity of Mumfordville, Kentucky, the father on the 2d of January, 1821, and the mother on the 11th of February, 1826. Thomas Logsdon began farming on his own account while still living in the Blue Grass state and was there married. When he made the overland journey from that state to Jasper county, Iowa, there were three children in the family and his worldly goods consisted of a team and twelve dollars in cash. He paid ten dollars for a cow, which left him with practically no money, but he was rich in energy and determination and at once began to place his land under cultivation. He had a land warrant and entered one hundred and sixty acres, which became the nucleus of his holdings. At one time he owned four hundred and ten acres of land in Jasper county and was very successful in his agricultural operations. Although prosperity eventually came to him, the first years passed in this state were filled with hard work, privation and oftentimes discouragement, which tried severely his mettle. His first residence was a log house without a floor; Indians were numerous; the nearest mill was forty miles away; and as the early settlers did not have matches it was sometimes necessary to go to a neighbor's to borrow fire, as the methods of making a fire in those days were very primitive and it was no small task to start it with flint and tinder.

Mr. Logsdon began raising hogs almost as soon as he settled upon his land and in order to get them to market it was necessary to butcher them and carry the dressed meat to the nearest town where he received but two and a half cents per pound, which hardly paid him for the trouble of raising them. He was instrumental in establishing the early schools and churches in his locality and the nearest school and church were both on land which he had previously owned. For over thirty years he was a Bible teacher in the Methodist Episcopal church and in seeking to advance the cause of Christianity he displayed the same energy and determination that he applied to his work as a farmer, gaining the reputation of being the greatest worker in his neighborhood. In addition to cultivating the usual crops he raised considerable cattle, hogs and sheep annually and was a prominent farmer and stockman of Jasper county. On the 11th of March, 1874, he removed to Madison county, where he became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, and he continued to farm to some extent but lived largely retired. Both he and his wife passed away in this county, his demise occurring when he was past sixty-eight years of age and his wife lived to be more than seventy-seven years old. In the early days she taught school in Jasper county and in caring for her household she did many things that do not now fall to the lot of the housewife. Among her tasks was that of spinning. At the time of the Civil war Mr. Logsdon's sympathies were entirely with the north, and he fully expected to join the Union army. In fact, he was instrumental in organizing the company under the command of Captain Thompson, and with which he drilled, but as he had nine small children he was not allowed to enlist.

Christopher Columbus Logsdon, who was the seventh child in the family, attended the district schools of Jasper county and thus acquired a serviceable education. He was but a boy at the time of the Civil war, but remembers well the martial spirit that prevailed and he shared in the general excitement. The boys of the community imitated their fathers and drilled among themselves as if they, too, might be called upon to aid in the defense of the Union. Our subject played the drum in that youthful company and would gladly have joined the army if he had been old enough. He remained upon the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age and after the removal of the family to this county began farming on his father's land. For about six years he resided in Adair county, but the greater part of his life has been spent in Grand River township, this county, and he has thoroughly identified his interests with that locality. He. owns two hundred acres of fine land on sections 19 and 30, where he carries on general farming and stock-raising. He raises shorthorn cattle of a good grade for commercial purposes and derives good financial returns from the sale of his stock. His residence is commodious and attractive, and everything about his place is in excellent condition.

On the 9th of February, 1882, Mr. Logsdon married Miss Addie L. Grandfield, who was born in Madison county, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Cross) Grandfield. Her father was born in England on the 24th of December, 1833, and was in the butcher business in that country. In 1854 he came to the United States and after residing in New York city for about a year came to this county, making the last stage of his journey with teams. He purchased land in Grand River township, where he farmed for a number of years, and became the owner of three hundred and seventy-five acres of good land. He studied medicine under a physician at Afton, Iowa, and in the early days practiced that profession to a considerable extent, being called to attend patients over a wide territory. For some time he conducted a hardware and grocery store at Casson, but subsequently removed his stock to Macksburg. At the time of his demise he had sold out his business and was living upon his farm, but was still practicing medicine. He passed away on the 9th of May, 1896. He was married in England to Miss Elizabeth Cross, who was born in that country on the 27th of February, 1827, and she survived him for almost three years, dying on the 29th of April, 1899.

He was a republican in politics and in early manhood was an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Logsdon is the fourth child born to her parents and the only one residing in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Logsdon have a daughter, Bessie, who married Fields Cochran and has two children, Mildred Irene and Vaughn Wesley. Mr. Logsdon supports the republican party and is willing to give of his time and means to aid in the successful accomplishment of plans that have as their object the up-building of his community. He holds membership in the Odd Fellows lodge at Macksburg, and both he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs, They are numbered among the progressive farming people of the county and in seeking to advance the agricultural interests of their locality are following in the footsteps of their parents, who were active in the Grange when it was an important factor in rural life.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.